Cowboy Johnny

It has been really wild at my house!! I haven't been around much so I thought I might take a minute to update my diary and hopefullly as the days go by get around to answering all my mails.

The House of Paws came to visit!! yes they did!! Raven, Boo, Gus and Mr. Wheezer. I say Mr. Wheezer because he asked me to call him that. Mr. Wheezer is quite a dawg!! He is KOOL...his bottom teeth stick up over his top lip givin' him a debonair, caution to the wind sort of look. When Mr. Wheezer woofs dogs listen! We hadda keep an eye on him an' my mom Beatrix...oh boy!! Those two together are TROUBLE!! Watch out world!! BOL I sorta envy a KOOL dog like that..

Aunty Raven, is a lovely lady. I worried for her though, she was always just one mouthful from starvation. I only know this because she confided it to me again and again. What a plucky spirit she had. Every time mother went to the kitchen, there was Aunty Raven trying to get enough to eat to keep her alive. Aunty Raven is quite a classy lady; up on all the latest fashion and accessories.

Gus? Gus is the most handsomest gentlewoof ever. I do hope I can grow up to be just like him. We are after all the same color and all. Though Gus stands somewhat taller than I...okay alot. Gus quickly became dad's favorite with his quiet, intelligent and gentle ways. Gus thinks very deep thoughts and shares very few.

Then there is the Nanny Boo. Boo took quite good care of Baby watching out for him and checking in on him as he shyly watched the others from the safety of the sofa. Boo is quite beautiful, enough to make a Poodle shy. She likes her tummy rubbed and will purr like a kitty if you rub her tummy! BOL Boo is in the middle of everything and something like a white Beatrix! They were much alike, loving, funny and sweet.

Last week we had a party at my house for 23 dogs!! I haven't time to tell it now but it was quite a bash!!

Thank you to all my friends who missed me and wrote to me...I shall write you all very soon.

I want to thank my very special friend Sandy for doing this beautiful background for my page.

Sandy draws these all by paw... if you want one she actually has a little business selling them.

My friend Midnight, has been encouragin' me to write more often in this diary. I decided I should give it a try...

This past weekend my buddy, Joey invited me up to his place. Joey is a really cool character, he's a pomeranian/papillion mix. He's got the wildest fur an' knows all the coolest games.

Joey lives in the country with his sister Kiera the Golden Retriever. I'm not real crazy about Kiera because she has a thing for MY mother. I usually bring my mom along for the ride. Humans like car rides. When that Kiera see's MY mom she comes running, throws herself at my mother cryin', howlin' and singin!! It's really horrible because it's MY mom!! MINE, as it NOT sharing!! My mom gets down on her knees an' kisses Kiera, an howls and sings too!! It's just GROSS!! I worry that Kiera's humans might be as jealous as I am!! I mean they even say she doesn't greet anyone else like this!! I get mad an' run off with Joey!!

So like, we're hangin' out when all of a sudden this CAT comes around the corner!! It was HUGE!! Bigger than me!! Bigger than Joey!! I was freakin' out!! It had SIX toes with claws like daggers!! That cat probably would have torn me limb from limb had it not seen a bird distractin' it long enough for my fast get away~!! Joey seemed unfazed but I vowed NOT to mess with that Poodle eatin' tiger!! No way, no how!!

I begged my buddy, Joey to take me in the backyard thinkin' I could avoid that Kiera dogson an' not be killed by the cat. When I got outside I was shocked to see a HUGE strange lookin' crate. Musta' been a crate...but it was big enough for a couple humans to walk around in...I asked Joey if he locked his humans up sometimes. That's when I noticed these weird lookin' feathered dogs!! Not even kidding!! Dogs with black glossy feathers. Weirdest lookin' dogs I ever saw!! They were bigger than both of us guys...had the strangest lookin' faces too...lil' beady eyes, an' their noses were hard an' yellow...poor kids had lost all the feathers on their feets exposin' these scary yellow toes. Weirdest smellin' dogs too! I know cuz I smelled em an' smelled em. I should've barked a greeting but I was just too shocked. I didn't mention to Joey about those dogs. Musta' been vicious or somethin' cuz they were locked up!!

Back in the house there were a couple of cages with the same birds I'm hollerin' at out my front windows for takin' baths in MY fountain. I suppose Joey is more of a dog than, me cuz it looks like instead of hollerin' out his window Joey managed to capture those birds! I was yellin' at em when my mother stopped kissin' that Kiera dogson long enough to tell ME to hush!!

What a day!! Anywoof know what breed of dogs those feathered dogs are?

Because it's Christmas time there are changes to the rules. Each player needs to write a short note to Santa Paws and list 5 things on their Christmas list this year. Tagged dogs must post the rules in their diary and their letter with 5 requests. Then choose 5 pups to tag and list their names. Let them know by pawmail or rosette that they have been tagged and to read your diary for the instructions on how to play. AND... since it's Christmas time give them each 5bones or treats.

Dear Santa Paws,

Thank you for sendin' me some really nice friends. I try to be a good little boy as you know. I try never to be influenced by some of the dogs in my pack who shall remain nameless. I ask you to please look upon them kindly as they only do the things they do in good fun and after all they are the life of our pack. What fun would it be if we were all good like Cinnamon and I?

Love, Johnny Thunder

My wish list:

1. a live pony to ride...(Oh you brunged me Baby Charlie for that? Oh THANK YOU!!)

2. a warm snuggle...(Oh you brunged me Suzy for that? Thank you!!)

3. a friend who understands me, looks like me and knows all my secrets...(Oh you brunged me Cinnamon for that? Thank you!!)

4. a belly laugh and some excitment and a hint of mischief...(Oh that's Honey Bear? BOL Thank you!!)

Okay...here I am...Finally tagged by my best buddy: Cowboy Domino...Yep, the same cool dude you read about in my diary! Thanks Buddy!

1. I'm shy and quiet
2. People often walk right by me and don't even notice me...
3. I'm mama's little shadow.
4. To get attention I touch both paws to my nose
5. I like to eat sitting on mama's lap being fed every bite.
6. I enjoy wearing pajamas with little lambs on them...I sometimes insist on wearing them all day long! BOL
7. I love water...if you turn on the hose to water I WILL stick my head under the flow and get very wet and playful!

I would like special love and hugs for all the doggies and their humans who are missing someone special this Christmas.

I have done my very best to be a good little boy and do just as my mamas, brothers and humama ask me. That's a big order for such a little boy but I do my very best.

I love you, Santa
Your boy, John John

Dear Johnny Thunder,

It's Rudolph here, writing to let you know that Santa Paws and his reindeer are really excited about visiting you this year.

Your a very special boy to think about all the doggies and their humans who are missing someone special this Christmas.

The elves and all of us reindeer have been really busy making some new treats and toys just for you. Your mommy told Santa Paws that you really want a new toy. As long as you are a good boy, Santa Paws will bring you lots of new toys and treats.

Your mommy told Santa Paws that you have been on your best behaviour. We reindeer know how hard it is to be good. Sometimes we can't help ourselves. Take it from me Santa Paws will forgive you!

I must go now and get ready for our big trip. See you soon
Johnny Thunder.

Hey Johnny it’s your birthday. I’m in charge of the stars and I’m here to say hey Johnny you’re a big star today. My name is Zoom and I live on the moon but I came down to earth just to sing you this tune because Johnny it’s your birthday today.

I searched behind the clouds and the stars, I even zoomed my little bike to Mars and met my friend the saucer man and he said hey Zoom, I got the bestest plan. What your friend needs is something new, so how about a song just from you.

And so tonight when you’re in bed, I’ll be singing to you as I zoom overhead, singing Johnny, Happy Birthday, singing Johnny, Happy Birthday, to you. Happy Birthday Johnny, see you next year.

Some time has passed since our last cowboy adventures. Since the loss of Kwewu neither Domino nor I have felt like an adventure. I decided to pay Domino a visit and see just how he was doing. Of course my mother, Suzy came along. Now how is that for a cowboy like me? Being "taken" by his mother?

When we arrived Domino's Suzy, Suzy Q was clucking around squeezing my cheeks and saying words like precious and adorable, my Suzy was no better with poor Domino. We exchanged a look "HELP!!" This was usually the point of the visit where Kwewu would magically appear from his outdoor adventure world and say he would "keep an eye" so the ladies could visit! No such help this trip. We sorely missed Kwewu on so many levels.

We were fussed over, brushed and sprayed with some stinky stuff. Then the humiliation of having the Suzys make us a "little tent" from a bedsheet right smack up against the patio door. As if this wasn't humiliating enough they stuffed us into matching pajamas that features little cowboys, ropes and boots running all over them! UGH! These horrible things even had "feet" in the "so our footsies wouldn't get cold". After being kissed and "tucked" in we were done for! Poor Domino was rubbing his head all over the blankets trying to lose that "smell" while I was busy trying to wiggle my toes.

The porch light above us glared into our little puppy eyes. The noise of the two Suzys painting each other's nails and giggling drifted out to us. Every now and again the Suzys would come traipsing to the back door to "check on" us, remarking to one another how "cute" we were...little baby cowboys, giggle, giggle.

This was NOT the cowboy adventure we had planned! We were rough and tumble cowboys not babies! Now we realized how much freedom we had enjoyed because of our pal, Kwewu. Of course he was "keeping an eye" but gave us freedom, adventure and best of all, his friendship.

Thinking on all of this made us real men! Waiting until those Suzys went in the bedroom to try on Suzy Q's clothes we decided to act. No reason getting two mama dogs up in arms, wait for the moment. The moment came! We ripped off those horrible pajamas and stuffed them into our beds making little puppy sized lumps with them. We ran around the corner of the house, "where are we going?" I asked. Now that we had our freedom I was a little afraid. We had never really been anywhere on our own.

Domino pulled me to the driveway and with a flourish pulled off a cover...there is the moonlight was Kwewu's Bronco! A flood of memories came to me as I looked at that Bronco. All the times Kwewu had driven up it the Bronco to "rescue" and "save" us...pulling me back to the present Domino pointed to the letters with his paw

I blinked and rubbed my eyes..."Did you say ours?" I asked. "I sure did, Kwewu left us the Bronco." We climbed in and sat a moment smelling Kwewu's familiar, comforting smell. Then Domino turned the key. The Bronco sprang to life and Domino peeled out tires squealing!

In the rearview mirror we could see our Suzys rushing out in their little high heeled feathery slippers running in circles in the middle of the street. They'd be okay. They would realize we weren't such babies after all.

As our ears blew in the wind we smiled. Kwewu had taught us well, he would always be with us on our adventures.

Yesterday I recieved a devastating letter from my best friend, Domino. Our faithful friend Kwewu had passed. I could scarcely read the closing lines through my tears...

I didn't know rough and tough cowboy types like me and Domino cried, well, we do.

Kwewu was our best friend in every sense of the word. Domino and I being puppies and all were always out looking for an adventure. Planning our escape from the grasp of our Suzys to experience the world.

Kwewe was older, wiser and had alot more experience yet he would take the time to sit with us and listen to our wild and sometimes hairbrained schemes. He never made fun of our ideas but instead made wise suggestions here and there leaving us to learn for ourselves.

Of course we were never really left on our own because we had faithful Kwewu by our side and somehow he could always get us out of trouble and watch over us.

When Domino and I set out to live the cowboy life we realized the first thing we needed was a steed. Kwewu actually volunteered for such an adventure. He bravely set off across the desert carrying to wiggly, bouncy cowboy pups on his back.

The world is a darker place this morning without my faithful friend, Kwewu. I was priveledged to have called such a special dog...friend and blessed to have his love and devotion.

I will never find another friend as faithful or wise as Kwewu. Instead I shall hold him forever in my little cowboy heart until we meet again to laugh, sing so. Our faithful friend Kwewu had passed. I could scarcely read the closing lines through my tears...

I didn't know rough and tough cowboy types like me and Domino cried, well, we do.

Kwewu was our best friend in every sense of the word. Domino and I being puppies and all were always out looking for an adventure. Planning our escape from the grasp of our Suzys to experience the world.

Kwewe was older, wiser and had alot more experience yet he would take the time to sit with us and listen to our wild and sometimes hairbrained schemes. He never made fun of our ideas but instead made wise suggestions here and there leaving us to learn for ourselves.

Of course we were never really left on our own because we had faithful Kwewu by our side and somehow he could always get us out of trouble and watch over us.

When Domino and I set out to live the cowboy life we realized the first thing we needed was a steed. Kwewu actually volunteered for such an adventure. He bravely set off across the desert carrying to wiggly, bouncy cowboy pups on his back.

The world is a darker place this morning without my faithful friend, Kwewu. I was priveledged to have called such a special dog...friend and blessed to have his love and devotion.

I will never find another friend as faithful or wise as Kwewu. Instead I shall hold him forever in my little cowboy heart until we meet again to laugh, sing songs and ride the range.

We went to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah! We love it there! There’s lots of doggy fun…course pet doggies don’t do “in” the sanctuary. No, we stay in the air conditioned trailer listening to Cds, eatin’ ice cream and relaxin’! We sends the humans out in the heat! They waits on our pals who are waitin’ to go to their forever homes…paw and tail. The humans walk our little friends, help with feeding, groom them, and scrub the walls.

At Best Friends our pals our trained and prepared for their forever homes. They go on sleep overs with volunteers and outings into town and around the canyon trails. About 80% of the kids…dogs and cats will find their forever homes. Some don’t really care for humans and prefer to live in packs. Other dogs are there by court order for biting. As you know we never get to tell our side of the story. Best Friends is a haven for these kids too. They are not able to be adopted or meet the public but live in packs cared for, loved and adored by the staff.

Our pals receive spay or neuter and medical care. They are fed and watered and given treats. The live in octagon shaped buildings. Inside heating and air conditioning is provided 24/7. Each pup has it’s own little bed to sleep on elevated off the floor and cleaned by the humans. Two doggy doors and a human door lead to the outside where the pups have large, spacious yards to play in. By Los Angeles standards the play runs are equal to two or three urban yards. Each play area has clean and fresh water with lots of shade and wading pools in the summertime. Oh, yes, and toys too.

Cats are loved and cared for in a special kitty cat house. Cats with Feline Leukemia live together, playing with toys and sleeping on little painted beds, chairs and hammocks. All are loved, adored, played with and pampered.

Animals who live out their lives at the sanctuary are buried with dignity in Angel’s Rest. A special prayer is said for each and every one…from the largest horse, dog, cat and even the tiny little goldfish. All are respectfully cared for. A special service is held once a month to commemorate those who have passed and to give their care givers a chance to say a last “good bye”.

Best Friends has a dream…No More Homeless Pets. Every pup and every cat spayed and neutered (a very few responsibly bred) until every pet has a home to call it’s own.